10 Things You Should Know about Me

1. Weirdly obsessed with Hawaiian culture. I love the food, the history, the flora and the fauna. So if any of you live in Hawaii, e-mail (missbunnysunday@hotmail.com) and tell me about your life in obsessively intricate detail. Please.

2. Cinephile, BIG TIME. Movies saved my life. My favourites: The Craft, The Blair Witch Project, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Up in the Air

3. Witchy New Ager. This pretty much sums it up:

4. Wanderlust. I’m constantly planning trips I can’t afford to far off corners of the globe. Upside: if you’re ever in Madgascar, I         know a great restaurant.

5. Frida Kahlo is my personal saint. I mean, just look at her:

6. Twin! I have a twin brother and yes, the thing about twins being weirdly connected is true:

My Twin Brother: Hey Randi, you know that guy who was in that movie and his dad invented shoes and now he’s in that          show that’s like an hour?

Me: Kiefer Sutherland? 

My Twin Brother: Ya, that guy!

Twinned!

7. Pisces to the core. Which means I’m very emotional and esoteric. The good news: if you’re a Cancer, Taurus, Scorpio or Capricorn we can be besties. Bad news: if you’re a Virgo you’re rolling your eyes right now.

8. Crafty. I like to paint and draw and stuff. I made this:

Notice that i forgot to give him a tail. I said I was crafty, not anatomically correct...

9. I like to read biographies and other non-fiction books. Because of this I know random facts, like the migratory pattern of narwhals in the North Atlantic and the ancient Pagan origins of most Christian traditions. Yep.

10. Speaking of narwhals, I love them:

That about covers it…

Tell me about yourself! I want to know who my awesome readers are!

5 Things To Do Before February 1st

1. Pick your Word of the Year!

Paint your word onto a piece of cardboard and tape it to the ceiling above your bed. Make a banner with string, paper and some glitter and hang it over your mantle. Like these:

from Cottage 960

via Katie's Pencil Box (click photo for tutorial) This one was originally for the holiday season. I love that line from "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." It would make a great Phrase of the Year.

2. Play in the Snow

This was the view from my apartment yesterday:

It was the first real snow storm we’ve had this winter, so Fiancé and I went out to play. He threw snowballs at trees and I threw snowballs at him… and then whined when he threatened to through them back at me (like the true feminist I am.)

I love being outside during a snowstorm; it’s so quiet, even in the middle of the city. The streets are empty and the only sound is the snow crunching under your feet. So, before winter ends, and hopefully before February, get out in the snow. Build a snow-woman or take a contemplative walk sans headphones.

If you live somewhere outside of a four season eco-system, take in the rain or the wind or whatever weather is manifesting during this time of year.

3. Create a Valentine’s Scheme

via Etsy

I love Valentine’s Day, but not for the traditional reasons. I’m not a romantic person but I love that in the middle of the bleakest, most colourless month of the year, pink and red hearts pop up on shop windows and in department stores. I consider Valentine’s Day decorations to be the first flowers of spring. Also, I love cinnamon hearts and rom-com’s from the 1980′s.

Find something about Valentine’s Day that speaks to you and celebrate it. It’s an opportunity for brightness and cheer in the middle of the long, dark winter. I’m going to be doing a “Valentine’s Ideas” post with a list of suggestions, but Horror movie marathons + Chinese food = a popular Valentine’s combo for many people… and by people I mean me.

4. Give up on your New Year’s resolutions

Who needs resolutions anyways? Don’t feel guilty about it. Commit when you are ready, not just because the calendar says “January 1st.” Plus, those adorable gym bunnies must be super annoyed that their pilates class doubles in size every January. And the cashier at the liquor store misses you. She told me.

5. Plan

via Goddess Guidebook

Invest in a yearly planner, journal, datebook or calendar. It’s easy for holidays and celebrations to slip by unnoticed while you’re caught up in the drama of daily life. Write things down! Put huge stars beside important dates like anniversaries, equinoxes or the birthdays of your heroes. Make a plan to celebrate them.

Also, spend some time reflecting on the previous year. What would you have done differently? What did you accomplish? What still needs to be done?

Goddess Leonie’s Workbook is great for this, particularly if you’re a creative, goddess-centered New Ager.

Or just journal in a spiral notebook or in a Word file on your laptop. Whatever works for you.

What’s Making Me Happy This Week!

Valentine's Day is coming! (via weheartit.com)

This week was full of cinnamon hearts, slush falling from the sky and meddlesome cats.

I also drank A LOT of margaritas.

Soooo, without further ado…

Things That Make Me Happy:

I love cashiers. A nice cashier, barista or bank teller makes my day. Yesterday, a lovely cashier (who was possibly the nicest person I’ve ever met) made me SO happy when she told me that her sister used to make icing sandwiches when they were kids. Seriously, whoever you are Cashier Super Girl, know that you are AWESOME.

This blog post from Unicorns for Socialism. Alexandra Franzen is my hero. Just start there and read her whole blog.

SHARPIES!!!!!!!!!

I love cinnamon flavoured candy: cinnamon hearts, Hot Lips, Hot Tamales. They’re pretty much the only reason I embrace Valentine’s Day.

I joined Goddess Circle! Yeah, yeah, yeah! I looooove it. If you haven’t seen Goddess Guidebook, go now. Goddess Leonie is the living embodiment of positivity.

Pop Culture Happy Hour is my favourite podcast. It’s also where I stole the title of this post from. Listen on the NPR site or find it on iTunes. This week they talked about Oscar nominations, oh yes they did.

HAVE YOU SEEN MICHELLE WILLIAMS’ GQ PHOTOS?!?!?! She looks gorgeous! It’s a very Marilyn-esque shoot but she looks just as beautiful wearing jeans and a Mia Farrow haircut. The interview is supposed to be very revealing and raw. That’s why I love Michelle Williams; she’s the spitting image of honesty.

Also, the church across the street from my workplace put up a rainbow flag with a sign that says “All Welcome.”

As it should be.

I hope you’re weekend has been nourishing and fulfilling. Have a fantastic Sunday!

2012 Oscar Nominations

Marilyn Monroe has nothing to do with this post but this is my favourite Marilyn picture. She looks like a mermaid who magically grew legs and is taking her first step. I likes it. (weheartit.com)

Sooooo… I don’t really care about the Oscars, except that I like it when awesome people are nominated. That being said, here’s a list of Bunny Sunday endorsed nominees:

Supporting Actress: Melissa McCarthy

Supporting Actor: Jonah Hill (can you imagine of freaking excited he must have been when he found out?)

Best Actress: Michelle Williams (I haven’t seen My Week with Marilyn, I just really like her)

Best Actor: Sad Clooney all the way! I’m also hoping The Descendants wins for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture… and everything else it’s nominated for…

It’s a weird year for nominations. Lots of snubs going on. I wish Patton Oswalt was nominated for Young Adult and I’m reeeeally surprised Charlize wasn’t… but that just proves the Academy doesn’t know what it’s talking about.

Who are your Oscar favourites? Will you be watching Oscar night? Who should have been nominated? Do you even care about awards shows??? Tell me!

Paper Bag Princess

This excerpt from The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, one of 7 Year-Old Me’s favourite books:

Prince Ronald said, “Elizabeth, your hair is all dirty. You are wearing an ugly paper bag. You don’t have any shoes on and you smell like a dragon’s ear. Come back and rescue me when you’re dressed like a real princess.”

Elizabeth said, “Ronald, your hair is all nice. Your clothes are all pretty. You look like a nice guy, but guess what? You are a bum.”

They didn’t get married after all.

This book should be read to every little girl on Earth. As much as I love Belle and Esmeralda, FUCK Disney!

I like my princesses in paper bags.

 

What’s Making Me Happy This Week?!

Fiancé just gifted me a Cinnamon Dolche latte from Starbucks and I’m writing this in bed, still wearing yesterday’s makeup. Week 2 of my 4-month long temp job was completed with slightly less waterworks than Week 1, so I consider that a success. The past week was full of snow, Twinings Ultra-Spice Chai and many, many podcasts.

So, What’s Making Me Happy?

On the podcast “WTF with Marc Maron,” comedian Tom Glass came out of the closet (to the general public anyways) and the discussion that followed was honest and very intelligent. Go listen NOW. Find it on iTunes. excerpt:

“Leave everybody the fuck alone… let people do what they want.”

The Descendants won Golden Globes!

I cleaned the apartment. Trust me, this is a HUGE triumph.

Gala Darling affirms everything I’ve been saying about celebrating every day.

Weird winter weather in Ontario. On any given day this week I was snowed, rained and shined upon. I wore mittens and ballet flats. I love it.

I purchased a Hello Kitty blanket and have been wearing it cape-style for the last 3 days.

L’Oréal Colour Riche Balm is sooooo good. If you’re looking for an everyday lip balm with a bit of colour, this is it.

This Frida Kahlo coloring book is adorable.

This article on recognizing your inner critic is enlightening.

Sometimes, parents rock.

5 Second Movie Reviews

Hawaii, in honour of The Descendants (via weheartit.com)

Remember how I wrote this post about the movies I was looking forward to seeing? Well, because I’m super industrious when it comes to procrastinating, I’ve watched all of those movies instead of working on my writing. Yay me!

In case you were wondering:

The Descendants is amazing. It’s my favourite movie of 2011 and it just won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama.

Young Adult is amazing because Patton Oswalt is a damn fine actor. The movie is super dark in tone… like much darker than I expected. It’s sort of uncomfortable to watch but that’s also what makes it good.

We Bought a Zoo is adorable. If you’ve ever wondered what a kids’ movie would be like if it was directed by Cameron Crowe… this is it.  I’m a sucker for animals and Patrick Fugit, so I really loved it.

Comic Weirdness

This comic is full of amazingness! I read it and had to immediately share it with you because it makes me THAT happy. An adorable take on the concepts of “normal” and “weird.”

Read it NOOOOWWWW!

Please

P.S. I’m at least three of the people they mention.

Get Past the Daily Grind

via weheartit.com

Have you seen the Twitter feed #AmWriting? It’s a great compilation of tweets about, obviously, writing but also inspiration, creativity and great books. This Ray Bradbury quote came directly from #AmWriting:

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”

SO TRUE. Especially now that I’m stuck in an office environment, on a 9-5 timetable. And, full disclosure, I avoid the corporate 9-5 life as much as possible, so my heart goes out to amazing, creative people who are unhappy with their jobs and have been stuck in them for years upon years.

This quote applies to everyone, writer or not. The cold reality of daily life can be depressing. Try not to wish away your weekdays. Focus on your passion. Focus on your ideals. Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? Where will you be in 5 years?

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.

You  must stay drunk on art so reality cannot destroy you.

You must stay drunk on music so reality cannot destroy you.

You must stay drunk on travel so reality cannot destroy you.

You must stay drunk on friendship so reality cannot destroy you…

Bottom line:

You must stay drunk on your dreams so reality cannot destroy you.

I’m going to remember that Monday-Friday, when I’m deep in monotony and wishing it was Saturday.

 

Truth Time

Oooooh... moody beach scene (via wehearit.com)

I recently started a new job and it’s not going well. That’s putting it mildly. I cried when I got home today. Fortunately, this job is only temporary. Unfortunately, I still have to go.

I’m sad.

So why am I posting this for all the world (some of the world…?) to see? Because, lovely readers, if you cried when you got home from work today, please know that you’re not alone. If you have a job that you don’t like or that doesn’t fulfill you, I understand. If you’re a square peg in a round hole, I get it. We are kindred spirits as only disenchanted labourers can be.

Also, please know that whatever you dream about while shuffling papers at your desk is possible. Whatever you wish for while you sweep, type, weld, wash or calculate is completely valid. I’m still here writing, even though my eyes are all puffy and my nose is all snotty. I’m choosing to show up and meet my dream halfway.

So don’t give up. Even if you’re tired and sad and jaded. Go after your dream. It won’t be easier but it will be infinitely better.

Plus, it could be worse… you could be homeless, diseased or dead. Our problems are First World problems. But, I know, it still sucks.

Hang in there.